~ A Storyteller's Seat

275 – Heirate Mich

The rooster’s crow ceased abruptly, replaced by a mournful howl. Those who heard it froze for a moment, fearing hell was about to be unleashed, before realising that it came from a human throat.

The bravest villagers rushed to seek out the source of the sound. They realised, with a growing sense of dread, that it came from the churchyard.

They found him on his knees, just a few feet from the church door. Naked, covered in blood and mud, he was howling at the remains of the rooster. It looked as if he had torn it apart with his bare hands.

But it was what lay behind him that left the villagers stricken with horror and chilled to the bone.

Afterwards, none who had been there would talk about it openly. But whispers spread.